Tuesday, July 14, 2015

You know when you are potty training young children. You're over the hump and past the hard part. It would be smooth sailing if it wasn't for the fact the your little one isn't tall enough to get on the big person potty all by themselves.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

There was a time in my life when I did not think much about what the world would be like after I am gone. I would use and use and then use some more. I thought recycle bins were ridiculous and a waste of time. Then I met my wife and we started a family. The addition of each child brought a new awareness that their would be life after me.

Friday, February 13, 2015

One size drill bit gets used quite often in my shop. I have several of the same size. Why? I use it to predrill holes for the #8 screws I use in a lot of projects. Unfortunately I have a nasty habit of misplacing all of them.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

A magnetic storage rack is a simple and easy way to keep all those drill and driver bits you may have laying all over the shop. In fact, the type of magnets that I used in this build are strong enough to hold not just drill and driver bits, but screwdrivers and a 16oz hammer. This is a quick and easy way to keep all those small metal pieces from getting lost in the void.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

No self respecting vanity dresser would be complete with out a jewelry box.

This design offers three drawers with two different sizes. A larger bottom drawer and two smaller top drawers. Drawer dividers can be made and placed inside each drawer for better organization of your jewelry.

Larger pieces such as necklaces and watches can be placed in the bottom drawer. Smaller pieces such as rings, ear rings and bracelets can be placed in the more appropriately sized top drawers.

Let's build that!

DIY: Jewelry Box

TIPS: The following measurements may be substituted.1.5" = 1x2's2.5" = 1x3's3.5" = 1x4's5.5" = 1x6'sUse caution working with solid lumber wider than 1x6's. Especially soft
woods such as pine. I find they show a greater propensity to warp,
twist and cup. Gluing boards side by side, otherwise known as a glue
up, will offer greater stability across the project.

Cut the top and bottom to length. You can route the dado for the top center drawer guide now if you would like. I chose to wait until after the next step and measured 8-1/4" over from each side.

Step 2

Cut the four corner pieces with the grain running perpendicular to the grain of the top and bottom boards. Wood glue and clamp in place as shown.

This step was not depicted in the video.

Step 3

Cut the sides to length and route all corresponding dadoes.

Step 4

Cut the middle divider to length and attach the side pieces. It is always better to start assembly from the center and work your way out when possible.

Step 5

Attach the top and bottom pieces with glue. Clamp in place and wait until dry.

Step 6

While the carcass of the jewelry box is drying in the clamps it would be a good idea to start on the drawers. Cut all the sides to length and width.

Then size all of the drawer bottoms.

Step 7

Be sure to route the dadoes for the guides into all six drawer sides. Then make all necessary adjustments and route the 1/4" dado for the drawer bottoms as depicted in the video.

Step 8

Cut the drawer guides to size. The center drawer guide is the only one that is more than one piece. It is two pieces glued together at 90 degrees. The one tricky thing to take note of here would be to ensure this piece will be even with the guide on the other side of the drawer. If it isn't then the drawers will not be level and this could throw off how the drawers operate.

Be sure to take an exact measurement of exactly how deep of a dado you have routed into the top. Then add the exact measurement of how far down from the top of the jewelry box sides you routed the dado for the opposite drawer guide.

In this instance in these photos the dado for the center guide is 1/8" deep. The dado for the opposite side guide in step 3 is 3/4". Adding the two together you get 7/8".

Step 9

Dry fit all the drawers to ensure proper fit and operation of the drawers. Make adjustments where needed. I used a number 4 hand plane to make slight adjustments for each guide before continuing.

This step is also why I chose to hold off attaching the drawer fronts to the drawers. So I could actually see what my tolerances were for each drawer both front and back.

Step 10

Once you are satisfied with the way everything fits together. Glue and clamp the drawer guides in place.

Step 11

While the drawer guides are drying you can attach the drawer fronts to the drawers. I simply measured for proper overhangs and glued in place.

Step 12

I used the same honey maple stain I used for the vanity dresser, After two coats of stain and three coats of satin polyurethane we are left with a pretty good looking jewelry box that is perfect for not just a little girls room but any lucky woman's room.

Final Thoughts

I did not place a back on the jewelry box. The reason was because it was always going to be referenced off the back of the vanity dresser and the rear would never be seen. It would be easy to route some recessed rabbets into the back and place a back panel. You would have to shorten up the drawers by the same measurement if you wanted the box to be completely enclosed.

The only thing not shown in the finished picture above are the drawer pulls. Obviously this is a matching piece and part of a set. The drawer pulls will be matched with the vanity dresser. I did not put them on for this photo because I did not want people to get distracted from the actual jewelry box itself.

Find me on Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest. Also be sure to check out my YouTube channel
for lots of great project videos. If you see any of these project
designs that you would like to see a video for, let me know. If I get
enough interest in one I will be sure to build and upload.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Recently we sold our house. Don't worry, we're not homeless. We bought another. We went from a three bedroom to a four bedroom home. It has been a great move. The children once again have a bedroom all their own.

Friday, January 2, 2015

Recently the Sullivan family loaded up the SUV and headed for North
Carolina. The weather had not turned too cold just yet and the leaves
were just beginning to fall from the trees. Sky Top Orchard was our
destination. Fun was our goal. Mission accomplished!

Disclaimer:

Woodworking and general DIY projects can be a very satisfying endeavor. Working with wood, whether using power or hand tools or even woodworking supplies, it is up to you to learn and accept proven and proper techniques. I am not responsible for any damages of any kind that may result in your using any product or information mentioned within this blog. It is up to you to research any operating instructions for your tools and operate them safely, even if it means seeking qualified people in demonstrating their safe operation to you.

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